Therapeutic diets for diarrhea: Biological evaluation in rats

The present research dealt with the evaluation of the anti- diarrheal activity of two therapeutic diets in model of castor oil induced diarrhea in rats. Formula I contain modest amount of skimmed milk, formula II was lactose restricted diet. Both formulae contain cereals, legumes, honey and edible source having anti- diarrheal activity. The nutritional value of the two formulated therapeutic diets was evaluated in normal growing rats in comparison to reference formula, milupa special formula, in addition to control balanced diet (contain 10 % protein supplemented from casein). The evaluation of nutritional value depended on determination of total food intake, body weight gain, food efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio. Nutritional status of rats fed different diets was also evaluated through determination of certain biochemical parameters such as percentage haematocrit, blood haemoglobin concentration, plasma total protein, albumin, iron, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, retinol and 8-carotene. Results showed that anti-diarrheal activity of formula I was superior compared to formula II. Milupa and formula I have higher values of protein efficiency ratio and food efficiency ratio than control casein diet which were significant in case of Milupa. However diet II showed comparable values to control. Biochemical parameters showed higher values of plasma total protein, magnesium and retinol of rats fed Milupa diet. Feeding diet II produced significant increase of plasma iron magnesium and retinol. However, only significant increase of plasma magnesium has been observed when feeding diet I.